New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-10-28
TIE CUSTOM HOUSE GUIGLOTINE.

IT CUTS OFF ONLY REPUBLICAN HEADS WHEN
SECRETARY MASON WORKS IT.
The interview with Civil Service Commissioner
Lyman. published recently In TRIBUNE in which
the order that members Of Civil Service Examin-
ing Boards shall become active members OF par
tisen political associations OF committees organized
for political purposes is strongly commended, has been
vaIlOusly commented upon at the Custom House.
Those who believe in being allied with the other
OF the Nv" great political organizations but arc OPP
posed 70 mixing politics with their Official duties
pleased with The order but the supporters Of the
Administration characterized an interference with
heir political rights.
The present Custom House Examining Board is sup
posed to be nonpsr,an, but the record OF the past
few months proves tha the Democrats hold an effect
i've balance Of power Deputy Collector John y.
Mason, airy of The Boarl IS from N"wburS' ana
until The recent reorganization Of The Democlailc
state Committee, was member OF IL. lie Is ono Oh
the mos energetic young politicians In The public ser
vice and not let opportunity pass of disclIm
mating between Republicans and Democrats. Length
service and efficient and honorable records have less
weigh with Mr.. Mason than political capacity, es
peciay If the capacity possessed by Democrat His
activity has already earned for him the titles of Till
Democrat" and " Man after hcspoii,
Recently and with more vlgor a. election day has
drawn near. Secretary Mason has been specially cncr
getic In furnishing lists Collector Maeone OF Eepnb-
lican clerks who have failed 10 pas eAanlnaoh> Tor
promotion. The collector then urges the lcc"nneii-
do ions Of secretary Mason that they be displaced be
cause Of incfccncv, although his incnicicncy u
absolutely tlcort ca for the clerks have. a. rule,
shown special fitness aud expert knowledge IN IN"
positiops which they have held Bui hclr places are
wanted for Democrats
on Wednesday Mr.. Mason began making announcer
liz, of Incfficcns" whnsc heads marked Tor the
Democratic guiilOnc There are twenty seven 81 a
cia.s Of twcnly-nlnc clerks who have bccn pm; down
a. having failed 10 pas examinations for Pi"mOuol
10 the next grade ~ Collector MagUnc few days ago
>ol,mnly promised that no old and ciliccn, clerk,
who he'd shown general ability and uprichtnc-' OF
official character although he might fail in 'he ,' d
service cxsmiua non. should lie discharged II }, diff
fcuI how hc approve all OF the re- "ininrn-
Diet ions Of SECRETARY Mason. some OF ihr-" drlin-
qucmS from their know ridge OF the general methods
tran~atnG Custom House business and ih'lr g'h-
cra lniu1na ion about the records fl'. az SPEC
ialiy Valuable the Government
deputy a. lccior Charles Davis. another member Of
the IsoarI (, not member Of any political commit go
either. but like Mr. Mason j, active pOitirsn and
hiss his fingers IN all suIt> Of political pes O. o. !.
NlcUll, ano kcr Democratic member. l. pfTtrgr 81
surveyor Bca'fic and active IL The ranks ot The
touniy DcmVtg aCy. James B"Ern ana loWalh l.
Walden are bOih active and " offensive i'IE"'i allc
perrisans Charlie \. du Moulin. hc Unh ono OF ten
sI.VCO clerks examined for promotion VINO ph'aIiird
the iequiped pcrcen' age. wa promoted on "cd"N-
day. lie y DcmVcrat.